Obituary of Dave Elliot Peterson

Dave Elliot Peterson, 68 of Cumberland, Wisconsin passed away on October 12, 2021 at his home with his wife by his side. He was proceeded in death by his parents Jim and Jean Peterson, mother-in-law Delores Wiesner, and sister-in-law Randi Peterson. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Deb, son David (Katie) Peterson, daughter Katie (Dan) DeCabooter, grandsons Xavier, Brennan, Graham Peterson and brothers Bob (Karen) Peterson, and Jim (Kathy Welch) Peterson.

Dave was born in Morris, Minnesota. He spent part of his childhood in Washington and Oklahoma before returning to Benson, Minnesota where he graduated high school in 1971. He went to college at the University of Minnesota, Morris, graduating with a degree in Economics in 1975. At Morris he met his wife Deb and they bonded over their love of travel and education. Deb and Dave lived in Luverne and Mankato before settling in Willmar where they raised their children. Dave worked at several banks, in economic development for the State of Minnesota, as a HR Director at Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, and in purchasing and materials management at PDI in Minneapolis. Dave returned to school to receive his MBA from the University of Minnesota - Carlson, and sat for and obtained his CPA. Dave and Deb completed their careers while living in Woodbury, Minnesota before moving to Cumberland, Wisconsin upon retirement. They spent winters for in California and Arizona.

Dave was an active community member wherever he was living. In Willmar participated in an adult basketball league where he once cut off his own cast to participate in the championship game. He was active on church councils and men’s groups throughout his life. Dave loved to travel and see new sites, when planning a trip he was leery of going to a place he had already been, because he was missing an opportunity to see something new. He passed his love of travel and adventure onto his kids and grandkids. He and Deb brought the grandsons on trips to the Black Hills, Grand Canyon, Washington DC, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. These trips were especially memorable for the boys when Papa Dave drove them in the RV Dave and Deb owned for 8 years. He was in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, hiked around the southwest United States and spent a year teaching in Bratislava, Slovakia, where he and Deb were able to travel all over Europe. Dave was also a fan of a good old road trip and made sure to take his kids all over the United States. Dave loved being physically active – he golfed, biked, played pickleball, hunted agates and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon 7 times. He loved watching his grandkids participate in sporting events, hearing about how they were doing in school and hanging out with them at the cabin.

Dave was dearly loved by his family and friends. He will be forever missed. A funeral will be held on October 23rd at First Lutheran Church, 1180 8th Avenue, Cumberland, Wisconsin. Visitation at 9:30, 11:00 service, with lunch to follow. Memorials preferred to Mayo Home Hospice of Northern Wisconsin who made it possible for Dave to be at home with his family during his last days or First Lutheran Church of Cumberland.